Solar Equation, from Lozano-Hemmer at the Federation Square in Melbourne
Rafael-Lozano Hemmer, one of the most recognized Mexican contemporary artists is presenting a public art installation, featuring an animated three-dimensional maquette of the Sun. Premiered at the “Light in Winter” Festival Federation Square, Melbourne, Australia, “Solar Equation” is the largest public art projects he had ever made: a faithful scale model of the Sun that is 100 million times smaller than the real thing.
The piece features the world's largest spherical balloon, custom-manufactured for the project. It is tethered over Federation Square and animated via the use of five projectors. The solar animation on the balloon is generated by live mathematical equations that simulate the turbulence, flares and sunspots that can be seen on the surface of the Sun. This produces a constantly changing display that never repeats itself and gives viewers a glimpse of the majestic phenomena that are observable at the solar surface: these are relatively new discoveries, made possible by recent advances in astronomy.
While pertinent environmental questions of global warming, drought, or UV radiation might arise from the contemplation of this piece, Solar Equation is inspired by romantic environments of the ephemeral, mystery and paradox, such as those from Blake or Goethe. Every culture has a unique set of solar mythologies and this project seeks to be a platform for both the expression of traditional symbolism and the emergence of new stories.
Lozano-Hemmer's particular electronic oeuvre involves developing large-scale interactive installations in public spaces, usually deploying new technologies and custom-made physical interfaces. Using robotics, projections, sound, Internet and mobile phone links, sensors and other devices, his installations aim to provide a thought-provoking interaction of architecture and performance art.
